Presentation Details

Abstract Resume

Background: Athletics is one of multiple disabilities modalities of Paralympic program. The technique of secured throwing is used in the modality of releases and throwing by athletes
with different degrees of impairment in the trunk function, lower and upper limbs. The throwing frames are used to execute the throwing from the sitting posture. The projection of the implements in a
sitting posture requires stability and freedom of movement for the athlete, characteristics which are determined also by the throwing frame. Therefore, it’s important to use the principles of seating
and biomechanics in order to adjust the equipment to the individual characteristics of each athlete. The literature highlights the importance of adaptation of wheelchair sports or daily use to provide
adequate sitting posture with comfort, safety and function to its users. However, the principles of seating and biomechanical are little used and studied in throwing frames. The aim of this study was
to identify the main throwing frames used by national paralympic athletes and how these devices fit their sitting postures. Methods: The survey of the characteristics of throwing
frames was carried out during the Brazil Caixa Circuit Lotteries - Regional Center-East Athletics Phase 2014 and 2015. In this official competition of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee the best
athletes ensure positions in the national circuit stages, where they will compete with the best-ranked country Paralympic athletes. Were made photographic records of athletes during the use of the
throwing frame and the main features observed were described. Results: The throwing frames used in these competitions are quite simple and often were shared between several athletes.
Most presented a configuration with four legs, footrest and backrest fixed, vertical bar to supporting hand without adjustments and belt system to secure the athlete to the bank. In 2014, the throwing
frame had a modular structure in iron or aluminum without adjustments and the athlete was fixed to the device through belts with Velcro ®. In 2015, the devices were predominantly modular structure in
iron with rear castors for easy transport. The shared use of the same throwing frame between athletes and the lack of adjustments led to inadequate sitting posture in most cases. The depth and
excessive width of the seat doesn’t provide a stable basis for the hip and insufficient support foot height contributed to instability in the posture of the athletes. Conclusion: This
study showed that most national throwing frames has a simple configuration and don’t use individual anthropometric measurements of athletes in its construction, affecting the stability of sitting
posture. The athlete's performance depends of the interaction between the throwing techniques, the athlete's characteristics and the throwing frame characteristics. The adoption of new technologies is
imminent to assist the development of the sport in Brazil.